All three fillies whirled at the sound of a scream followed by hyena-like laughter.
"Wh-what was that?" Sweetie Belle said, knees shaking, magic light at the tip of her horn faltering slightly.
"Stay focused, Sweets!" Scootaloo said a little shrilly.
"Right...sorry."
"Wait, that scream....that was Zecora!" Applebloom looked around frantically."We need ta go help her!"
"Even if we did, what could we do?"
"Ah don't care! We need to help! Besides, maybe Zecora can help us outta here!"
"Well, when you put it like that..."
The three frightened fillies slowly made their way through the brush, the only light the feeble glow coming from Sweetie Belle's horn.
They must have walked for hours until Apple Bloom saw the glow of a torch through the trees. "There! Ah see it!"
The fillies walked towards the hut, careful of what could be waiting for them.
Sweetie Belle screamed and stopped in her tracks when she saw the front door of the hut clearly. Applebloom and Scootaloo quickly followed suit when the door came into view.
The door was hanging loose on its hinges, with great gashes rent into the wood. The entire left-hoof wall near the doorway was coated with blood. Pieces of bone lay strewn here and there on the ground.
"Wh-what in the....what could've done this?"
"Timberwolves..."
Scootaloo's face drained of color. "T-Timberwolves?"
Applebloom whirled on Sweetie Belle. "This is all your fault!! You're the one who wanted to come out here on Lightless Night!!"
Sweetie Belle's brow furrowed. "Applebloom, don't put this on me! You're the one who said we should help Zecora!"
"Yeah? Well, you-"
"Guys, please stop fighting-"
"Shut up, Scootaloo! You're not innocent here, either!"
Now it was Scootaloo's turn to be angry. "Me? I didn't do anything!!"
The timberwolves watched from the bushes as the three fillies threw themselves into a furious frenzy after seeing their slain comrade's remains.
One of the wolves licked his lips. "When may we pounce, Lord Elm? Cedar is hungry..."
Suddenly, the unicorn's magic began to darken and spark black lightning.
Every timberwolf present recoiled from the display and either hissed or whined.
"The Dark King's power lies with this one! The Blackheart! The Lord who slew the northern forests!
Elm gritted his teeth. "We must rethink our plan. Locust, stay here with me. We'll keep an eye on them. You four..." He looked at four of his companions. "Ash, Cedar, Spruce, Fir, stalk the orange one. She will be our first victim."
"Yes, sir." They slid into the shadows.
"You four..." He looked at his remaining four companions. "Cypress, Walnut, Birch, Dogwood. Go to the Cursed Water and create a pitfall. We'll trap one of them down there."
"Yes, sir." They slunk off to carry out his orders.
"What of the last one?" Locust asked.
"Why, we will save her for last. What good is one spellcaster against ten of us, even with Blackheart's power?"
"Very true, milord. Very true."